Main Street News: The Wisdom Tree & The Afrocentric Gift Store

We’re making history! Our Black History Month campaign to celebrate the stories and voices of Black Richmondites was profiled by Main Street America, reaching thousands of Main Street practitioners, Downtown champions, and neighborhood revitalization professionals throughout the United States. Take pride in seeing our community in the spotlight and learn how our cousins throughout the nation are celebrating Black History Month here.

Main Street Presents

Our Black History Month Spotlight

Have you ever noticed The Wisdom Tree, a tall, beautiful Cedar of Lebanon standing between Hectricrew and Lee’s Donuts in the Richmond Shopping Center? It is an amazing tree that has a wonderful and vibrant past, deeply rooted in our City’s oral history traditions and Downtown’s role as a place for gathering and building community. The tree was planted as part of a (WWI) Veterans Memorial Park, which has since changed in shape and form to accommodate the construction of the shopping center and housing. For decades this tree served as a meeting place for Latino and African American men who gathered at different times of the day to swap stories, boasts, and knowledge. When redevelopment projects came along, the owner of the site insisted that the tree be kept intact. This act of historic preservation speaks volumes to the importance of The Wisdom Tree to generations of Black men in Richmond who claimed it as their own outdoor parlor.

Five years ago this month, Gratitude Afrocentric Gift Store opened its doors, welcoming customers to surround themselves with gifts of faith, joy, hope, and love. Gratitude is the brainchild of proprietress Ghaliyah Roberts-Palmer who prides herself in creating a space that is reflective of the surrounding neighborhood, inclusive of the community’s diverse Black cultural experiences, and supportive of efforts to revitalize Downtown in partnership with our hometown businesses. Shop in person or remotely for incredible Afrocentric gifts for yourself and others. Follow them on Instagram and Facebook for new inventory alerts and a sneak peak into the world of Gratitude.

Want more Richmond Black History? Check out past editions & our sources.

Want to contribute? Share your histories with us!

Free Square E-commerce Program

Make your E-commerce site your top business New Years Resolution.
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Guides & Resources

LISC Small Business Recovery Grant

What: $10,000 grants for eligible small businesses, particularly those located in historically underserved communities hit hard by the pandemic, to help with payroll, rent, supplies, etc.
Accepting Applications: February 9, 2021, 8:59pm PST
Details: Grant Info & FAQs, Sign-Up to Receive Grant Cycle Updates

Learn More & Apply